Gateways of Goodness in Ramadan-I

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.}[Quran 2:185]

Very soon, we are expecting a great month in which Allaah The Almighty opens the gates of goodness, wherein the reward for good deeds and mercy are doubled, the gates of Paradise are open, and the gates of Hell are closed. It is worth making extra efforts to excel in this month because it passes by in the flicker of an eye. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {[Fasting is for] a limited number of days.} [Quran 2:184]

Thus, we should invest our best efforts in these limited days by approaching the gateways of goodness. For instance:

1-    Supplicating Allaah The Almighty upon seeing the new moon. The Prophet, , said upon seeing it: "Allaahumma ahillahu ‘alayna bil-yumn wal-imaan was-salaamah wal-islam. Rabbi wa rabbuk Allaah (O Allaah, Let this new moon come to us with goodness and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord Is Allaah)."

2-    Breaking one's fast promptly: The Prophet, , said: "People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the fast." [Al-Bukhaari]

3-    Supplicating Allaah The Almighty upon breaking the fast. The Prophet, , said: "The fasting person has an answered supplication upon breaking his fast." The Prophet, , used to say: "Thahab ath-thama’ wabtallat al-‘urooq wa thabat al-ajr in shaa’ Allaah (The thirst has been quenched, the veins have been moistened, and the reward is confirmed – Allaah willing)." [Abu Daawood, Ad-Daaraqutni, and Al-Haakim]

4-    Praising Allaah The Almighty after eating and drinking. The Prophet, , said: "Allaah is pleased with the slave who praises Him after eating and drinking."[Muslim]

5-    Observing Taraaweeh prayer (voluntary night prayers performed during Ramadan) regularly. The Prophet,  said: "The best prayer, after the obligatory ones, is the voluntary night prayers." [Muslim]

6-    Performing voluntary night prayer with faith and hoping for reward. The Prophet, , said: "Whoever performs voluntary prayers in the nights of Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

7-    Keenness on having Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). The Prophet, , said: "Have a pre-dawn meal; it is a blessing." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

8-    Walking to the Masjid. The Prophet, , said: "Whoever goes to the Masjid at dawn or dusk (for prayer), Allaah prepares a hospitable abode for him in Paradise every time he does this." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

9-          Providing food for the fasting person. The Prophet, , said: "Whoever provides a fasting person with food to break his fast will receive a reward similar to that of the fasting person without affecting the latter's reward."[At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh] Encourage your acquaintances to contribute to providing food for fasting people.

10-     Supplications in general. The Prophet, , said quoting his Lord: "I am as My slave expects of Me, and I am with him when he calls upon Me." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

11-     Supplicating for a Muslim in his absence. The Prophet, , said: "No slave supplicates for a Muslim in his absence but the angel will say, 'May the same be for you too.'" [Muslim]

12-     Feeling the seriousness and danger of sin and believing that you cannot bear the punishment allocated for it. This will help you hasten to give up sin and renew your repentance to Allaah The Almighty in order to change your bad deeds into good ones. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allaah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 25:70]

13-     Seeking forgiveness of Allaah The Almighty. The Prophet, , said: "If anyone constantly seeks forgiveness from Allaah, He will appoint for him a way out of every distress and relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he does not expect." [Abu Daawood and An-Nasaa’i]

14-     Supplicating and asking forgiveness for Muslims. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed, You Are Kind and Merciful."} [Quran 59:10]

15-     Constantly remembering Allaah The Almighty. The Prophet, , said: "Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Lord, that exalt you to the high ranks, are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and are better for you than you should encounter your enemies whose necks you will smite and they will smite your necks?'' They said, "Certainly.'' The Prophet  said: "Remembrance of Allaah The Almighty."

16-     Supplication between Athaan (call to prayer) and Iqaamah (second call to prayer). The Prophet, , said: "Supplication between the Athaan and Iqaamah is surely answerable." [Al-Bukhaari]

17-     Performing ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) in Ramadan when possible. The Prophet, , said: "‘Umrah in Ramadan equals [the reward of] Hajj or Hajj with me." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

18-     Reading the Quran frequently and reflecting upon it. The Prophet, , said: "Read the Quran; it will intercede on behalf of those who read it on the Day of Resurrection." [Muslim]

19-     Observing the obligatory prayers regularly on time. The Prophet, , said: "When the time for a prescribed prayer is due and a Muslim performs ablution properly, observes devotion during it and completes its acts of bowing, this prayer will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he does not commit major sins, and this applies for ever." [Muslim] Once the Prophet, , was asked what the best deed was, and he said: "Performing prayer at its due time." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

20-     Observing Fajr (morning) and ‘Asr (late-afternoon) Prayer regularly. The Prophet, , said: "Whoever performs Fajr and ‘Asr Prayers (regularly) will enter Paradise." [Al-Bukhaari]

21-     Keenness on joining the first row in prayer. The Prophet, , said: "Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Athaan and the standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

22-     Performing Dhuha (mid-morning) Prayer regularly. The Prophet, , said: "When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. There is charity in every ascription of glory to Allaah; there is charity in every utterance of praise of Him; there is charity in every declaration that He is the only true God (worthy of worship); there is charity in every declaration of His Greatness; there is charity in enjoining good; and there is charity in forbidding evil. Offering two Rak‘ahs (units) of Dhuha Prayer is equal to all this in reward." [Muslim]

23-     Performing the confirmed voluntary prayers regularly. The Prophet, , said: "A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak‘aat of voluntary prayers other than the obligatory ones every day." [Muslim]

24-     Performing voluntary prayers at home. The Prophet, , said: "Perform part of your (voluntary) prayers at your homes and do not turn them into graves." [Al-Bukhaari]

25-     Offering long prostrations. The Prophet, , said: "A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications while prostrating." [Muslim]